UNCLASSIFIED
10 737
MDHOA 1440
INTRODUCTION
1. AT THE OPENING OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE S POMPIDOU GROUP IN LONDON ON 18 MAY, THE HOME SECRETARY ANNOUNCED NEW GOVERNMENT MEASURES TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT
TRAFFICKING.
LINE TO TAKE
2 =
INITIATIVE REFLECTS HMG'S CONVICTION THAT FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION, PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE INCREASING THREAT TO EUROPE OF COCAINE. WE HOPE OTHER GOVERNMENTS WILL FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE AND CONSIDER WHAT FURTHER ACTION THEY CAN TAKE.
ADDITIONAL POINTS
3.
UN DRUGS BODIES PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTION IN INTERNATIONAL ANTI-DRUGS CO-OPERATION, BUT ARE FACING CONSIDERABLE RESOURCE DIFFICULTIES. HMG BELIEVES THEY SHOULD BE ALLOCATED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM WITHIN EXISTING UN BUDGET. WE HOPE OTHER COUNTRIES WILL SUPPORT THIS VIEW IN APPROPRIATE UN FORA AND/OR IN THE SHORT TERM CONSIDER BILATERAL AID SIMILAR TO THAT ANNOUNCED
BY THE HOME SECRETARY.
WE ATTACH HIGH PRIORITY TO STRENGTHENING LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES IN PRODUCER AND TRANSIT COUNTRIES. ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW CUSTOMS TRAINING FACILITY WILL HELP TO MEET INCREASING REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN THIS FIELD.
5.
THE UK IS ALREADY ONE OF THE MAJOR PROVIDERS OF OVERSEAS DRUGS-RELATED ASSISTANCE TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES BOTH BILATERALLY AND VIA UN FUND FOR DRUG ABUSE CONTROL. INTENTION TO STEP UP THIS PROGRAMME DEMONSTRATES OUR COMMITMENT TO ASSIST DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES IN THIS FIELD.
6.
IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ACT EQUALLY VIGOROUSLY TO COMBAT DEMAND. INCREASED FUNDS BEING DEVOTED TO PROVISION OF TREATMENT SERVICES, NATIONAL PREVENTION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS AND TO DRUGS EDUCATION DEMONSTRATE HMG S DETERMINATION TO PLAY ITS PART IN THESE EFFORTS.
7. BUT WE BELIEVE THERE IS A NEED FOR SOMETHING MORE. AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS DEMAND REDUCTION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE THREAT POSED BY COCAINE WOULD HELP TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE NEED FOR STRONGER ACTION IN THIS AREA.
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